Stale Bait - A Call to Outreach
Senior Pastor RK Smith
An excerpt from the sermon "Stale Bait" by Sr. Pastor RK Smith. You can watch the whole sermon on our Facebook page.
Scripture:
Luke 5:5 – “Master, we have toiled all the night and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.”
Matthew 4:19 – “And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
In this message, Pastor RK Smith challenges the church to rethink its evangelism methods. The message draws from Luke chapter 5, where Peter and his fellow fishermen toiled all night without success, only to experience an overflow when they obeyed Jesus' direction. Pastor Smith warns against using “stale bait” — outdated, ineffective methods — and urges the church to adopt fresh approaches for reaching the lost. Evangelism is not passive; it requires strategy, effort, and faith.
Key Points:
Fishing in the Dark Won’t Work – Evangelism must be intentional. We can’t wait for people to come to us; we must go where they are.
Stale Bait Doesn’t Catch Fish – The message of salvation never changes, but the methods must adapt to reach different people.
Obedience Brings the Harvest – When we follow Jesus’ leading, even when tired or discouraged, He will fill our nets beyond expectation.
It Takes a Team – Outreach is not for a select few; the entire church must be involved in soul-winning efforts.
Personal Reflection Questions:
Have you been relying on outdated or ineffective methods in your outreach?
Are you willing to step out in faith, even when past efforts have failed?
Who in your life needs to be reached, and how can you approach them in a fresh way?
What practical steps can you take this week to share the Gospel more effectively?
Are you willing to follow the vision of the church and embrace new methods for outreach, discipleship and evangelism?
Thought for My Life: Evangelism is more than just inviting someone to church; it’s about actively seeking the lost and presenting the Gospel in a way that connects with them. If I keep doing the same thing with little to no results, maybe it’s time to change the bait. Jesus calls me to be a fisher of men, but He also gives me the wisdom to fish effectively. Today, I choose to listen to His voice and cast my net again—this time, with fresh faith and a renewed strategy.